“Pale, bright yellow. Discreet scents of lemon, clove and minerals. Slightly richer in the mouth than the 2013 but also comes across as bone-dry, with the lemon curd and mineral flavors displaying lovely precision and subtle oakiness. An impeccably balanced Chardonnay but today the wine’s fruit is quite restrained. This youthfully imploded Chardonnay will need a few more years in bottle to approach its peak and should also age very well.” 94+ – Stephen Tanzer, vinous, July 2017

The 2012 growing season was close to ideal with temperate and steady temperatures that produced a long, moderate growing season with extended hang time and even ripening. There were no significant heat spikes or rains.

Winemaking

All of our Chardonnays are whole-cluster pressed and fermented in Burgundian barrels with native yeast. Due to their great density and structure, vineyard-designate wines are able to absorb more oak without being overwhelmed, and see approximately 1/3 new French barrels. In addition, these wines spend more time in barrel (for this wine 18 months), completely sur lies, before being bottled without filtration.

Winemaker Notes

Vine selection for our Hyde Vineyard Chardonnays are predominantly old Wente with some Robert Young—itself a Wente selection. The Wente produces a classic, Burgundian-style wine without the tropical fruit tones of some California Chardonnays. Hyde Vineyard wines often seem charming and feminine, with high natural acidity playing a prominent role.